Mastic-applying and finishing tool



Jan. 19, 1954 R. G. AMES MASTIC-APPLYING AND FINISHING TOOL.

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1, 1951 F. mm

INVENTOR.

RQBEPT (3. AM ES h/EZVM PNEYS R. G. AMES MASTIC-APPLYING AND FINISHING TOOL.

Jan. 19, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 1, 1951 INVENTOR.

E M G! M a. B I 0 M Y ATTORNEYS Jan. 19, 1954 R. s. AMES MASTIC-APPLYING AND FINISHING TOOL 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 1, 1951 ROBERT G-AMES I BY 6 ma dzu ma AT TOP NEYS Y Jan. 19, 1954 R. G. AMES MASTIC-APPLYING AND FINISHING TOOL.

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 1, 1951 R m m W.

ROBERT G-AMES ATTORNEYS Jan. 19, 1954 R. G. AMES MASTIC-APPLYING AND FINISHING TOOL 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 1, 1951 INVENTOR.

' ROBERT 3.AMr- 's ATTORNEYS R. G. AMES MASTIC-APPLYING AND FINIS HING TOOL.

Jan. 19, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 1, 1951 ROBERT 6. AMES AT TORNEYS Patented Jan. 19, 1954 MAsTlC APPLYlNG AND FINISHING TOOL Robert G. Ames, Burlingame, cam, assignor of one-halfto'Geoi-ge W. Williams and one-fourth to Stanley Ames, both of Burlingame, Calif.

Application September 1, 1951, Serial N 0. 244,786

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to mastic-applying and finishing tools. It ha particular reference to improvements'over the finishing tool disclosed in my copending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 775,724, which was filed in the United States Patent Ofiice on September 23, 1947, and allowed February 12, 1951 (now Patent No.'2,571,096) r In the above-identified case, I provide a hollow tool adapted to receive mastic under pressure. This mastic is discharged through an outlet opening against a wall board, or the like, as the tool is advanced thereover. The tool disclosed therein has a troweling bar at its trailing edge, which is designed to produc a desired curved 7 surface on the troweled mastic.

An object of this invention is to provide yielding means adapted for applying pressure at a plurality Of separated points along the length of the troweling bar to resist curving thereof, and to reduce the curvature of thecrown, on the troweled mastic.

'Moreover, the foregoing copending application makes use of a flexible wall forming part of the hollow body of the tool, this wall having an edge secured to the troweling bar by a plurality of clips. In the present case, this construction is simplified, affording easier assembly of the tool.

Further, the tool illustrated in the copending case'provides a baffle plate secured to the hollow body so as to form a partial closure over the outlet for the mastic. In actual practice, it has been found that the mastic will crowd beneath this bafile, since the mastic is under pressure, resulting in forcing the tool away from the surface over which it is advanced.

Accordingly, in the present improved tool, a surface-contacting runner is provided ahead of the mastic-discharge opening This runner is fashioned with a resilient section disposed to bear against the surface upon which the tool is applied. This section is so designed as to preclude the mastic from flowing thereunder, with the re.- I

sult that the operator may hold the tool against the surface with the minimum of effort.

As a still further object of this invention, I provide a troweling bar having a plurality of notches fashioned therein. These notches are arranged to allow discharge of ribbons of the mastic upon the surface of a wall board or the like. The ribbons of mastic are used for anchoring a second wall board against the face of the first. Also, this modified troweling bar may be employed for placing ribbons of water-proof mastic on a floorprior to securing linoleum thereto. a

Other objects and advantages will appear as the, specification continues. The novel features will be'pointed out in th claims hereunto appended.

DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention,

reference should be had to the accompa y drawings, forming part of this application, in which:

' Figure 1 is an end elevational view of my improved tool, disclosing it being used for applying mastic to a wall, the handle of the tool being illustrated fragmentarily;

Figure 2 is a plan view of that portion of the tool shown in Figure 1;

1 Figure 3 is a top plan view of the mastic-applying' tool by itself, shown on a larger scale than Figure 2;

' Figure 4 is an elevational view of the tool as seen from the trailing edge thereof;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the plane V-V of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an end view of the tool, as seen from the plane VI-VI of Figure 3-;

V Figure '7 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the plane VIIVII of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the plane VIII'VIII of Figure 3,with parts being disclosed in elevation;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic View of the tool showing a mastic-feeding mechanism for delivering mastic to the tool under pressure, and further disclosing a wiring diagram;

Figure 10 is a bracketed isometric view illustrating an end plate, wear shoe and bar-retaining plate utilized at each end of the tool and disclosing these three parts in separated relation with respect to one another;

Figures 11, 12, 13 and. 14 are isometric views of the resilient runner, yielding guide strip, troweling bar and pressure-adjusting lever, respectively;

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view taken through the mastic-applying and finishing tool," similar to Figure '7, but illustrating a modified portion of awall, disclosing ribbons of mastic applied by the modified tool to the inner panel of the wall, and further showing an outer panel anchored to a portion of the inner panel'by. the

mastic ribbons; and

Figure 18 is a horizontal sectional view sh0windicated generally at A. The latter is identical with that shown in the copending application previously mentioned. However, construction and operation thereof will be set forth, together with the wiring circuits employed in connection therewith, in order that the entire operation of my improved tool will b fully understood.

As shown, the mechanism A includes a platform i, which may be supported by caster wheels 2, or other suitable means. This platform carries a hopper 3 in which mastic M is placed. Moreover, a gear pump 3, or the like, draws mastic from the hopper through a pipe 5, and this delivers the mastic under pressure into a flexible hose 6 extending from the mechanism.

In Figure 9, the pump is operated by a motor I through a pulley-belt connection 8. A battery is shown at 9 and a solenoid is indicated at I9. The latter two items will be explained in detail when the wiring diagram is described. Of course, the motor may be connected to any suitable source of current.

With particular reference to Figures 3-8, inelusive, it will be apparent that the masticapplying and finishing tool includes a hollow body body 13, which is adapted toreceive the mastic Mtherein under pressure. This body defines a top wall ll having front and rear partial walls [2 and 14, respectively, depending therefrom (see Figures 4i, 5 and 7). Upright plates I5 are secured by screws IS to opposite ends of the body B. These partial walls extend lengthwiseof this body between the end plates I5, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

It will be observed that the interior of the body A defines a mastic-receiving compartment Bi, which is filled completely with the mastic M during operation of the tool. For delivering mastic to this compartment, tubes ll pierce the top wall l l. of the hollow body at positions spaced inwardly from the end plates H5. Th mastic. entering this compartment will have substan-- tially auniform density throughout the entire area of the compartment.

For conveying the mastic to the compartment Bl, flexible hoses 2%) are connected to the tubes H (see Figures 1, 2 and 9). These hoses are coupled at their lower ends to branch tubes 2! that communicate with the interior of a tubular handle C. The lower end of this handle is provided with a valve D (see Figure 9), and the hose 6 leading from the mastic-feeding mechanism A is coupled to this valve. When a handle 22 is turned to open the valve D, mastic will be fed from the hose w into the tubular handle C for delivery through the hose and tubes l! to the interior of the hollow body E.

Figure 9- shows the handle 22 as being provided with a terminal 23, and the latter is adapted to be. brought intocontact with a fixed terminal 24 4 when the valve D is opened. The closing of these two terminals will connect the motor I to the battery ii, or other source of current, in the manner hereinafter described.

The handle C has a solid portion CI that is disposed between the branch tubes 2i and the body B. This handle portion is bifurcated to present arms 25, which are pivoted at 26 to a bail 2i (see Figures 1 and 2). The bail is provided with extensions Zia that are pivotally connected by screws 23 to the end plates l5 previously mentioned. The connection between the handle C and the body B is such that the handle may be swung in the direction of the length of the body by movement about the pivot 26. Also, the, handle may be turned about the screws 23. The hoses 28 will permit such movements without. interiering with the delivery of the mastic M to the interior of the body B.

In order to discharge the mastic to the surface of a wall board E, or-the like, as the body B is advanced thereover, an elongated outlet opening .82 is provided at the bottom of the compartment Bi (see Figure 7). This opening is coex tensive in length with the distance between the two endplates i5, and has a width extending from a leading resilient runner F to a trailing guide strip G. In. actualpractice, the body is advanced in the direction of the arrow a in Figures 1, 2 and 7. Thus, the runner F is disposed at the leading portion. of the body, ahead of the opening B2, whil the guide strip G is mounted at the trailing portion of the body, rearwardly of this opening.

It is desired to prevent the bottom edges I50, of the end plates it: from wearing as the tool is advanced over the wall board. Therefore, I make use of a pair of wear shoes H (see Figures 5-7 and 10). These shoes are secured by screws 29 to the outermost faces of the endplates I5. Flanges 36 are provided on the bottom of the shoes and project inwardly under the edges i5a. of the endplates so as to preclude these edges from contacting directly with the surface of the wall board, or the like. The shoes H may be made from hardened material so as to withstand considerable wear, and may be replaced from time to time.

Reference is made to Figures 5, 7 and 11 for the structural. details of the resilient runner F. As shown in these views, the runner includes an L.-shaped supporting member S defining vertical and horizontal flanges 3i and 32, respectively. Figure 7 discloses the flange 32 as being spaced from the surface of the wall board E, and having a piece of sponge rubber 3?), or other resilient material, butted thereagainst to face toward the wall board.

A resilient covering 35, such as rubber, is applied over the sponge rubber backing 33. It will be noted that metallic fastening strips 35 and 36 are crimped over the marginal edges of the covering 34'. Screws 3'3 and 38 are employed for securing these metallic strips to the flanges 3 l' and 3-2, respectively.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the resilient section of the runner F, which is provided'by the sponge rubber 33 and its covering 34, is curved transversely on its underneath side (see Figure 7). This defines a surface-contacting rocker-like portion adapted to bear against the surface of the wall board E, or the like, when the tool is placed against the latter. Of course, this resilient rocker will yield so as to compensate for any irregular surface as the tool advances over the latter.. It has sufficient resiliency to prevent the mastic M from forcing thebody B away from the surface E.

.The runner F extends the entire distance between the end plates Hi. The verticalflange 35 of the runner is secured by screws 39 to the leading partial wall l2 of the body B. In order to allow the supporting member S of the runner to beadjusted toward and away from the surface of the board E, the screws 33 are inserted through slots 40 fashioned in the vertical flange 3! (see Figures 7 and 11). I

' As previously stated, the guide strip G is disposed at the trailing portion of the hollow body B. This strip has sufficient length to extend betweenthe end plates 15, but it can move up and down relative thereto. A vertical channel 4! is fashioned lengthwise of the strip G from end to end on its underneath-surface, and this channel is dimensioned to receive a troweling bar J of the shape shown in Figure 13 which normally is straight. The opposing ends of this bar project through notches Eb formed in the lower edges of the end plates 55 (see Figures 6 and 10).

For the purpose of 'adjustably anchoring the troweling bar J to the end plates, the latter are provided with bar-retaining plates K of the shape shown in Figures 6 and 10. The plates K are butted fiatwise against the outermost surfaces of the wear shoes H, and have fingers l? thereon adapted for fitting into bifurcated ends 43 of the troweling bar (see Figures 5, l and 18).

In Figure 6, I show oneof the screws 29 as passing through an opening id provided in the retaining plate K. The other screw 2e extends through a slot 45 formed in the same plate. These screws may be loosened so that the plate Is. can be tilted for the purpose of projecting the trowel ing bar J to a greater or less extent relative to the guide strip G. Thus the troweling bar may be adjusted to compensate for wear. Upon tightening the screws 29.29, the ends of the troweling bar are held inposition relative to the end plates l--l5. An out-turned corner 450'. on the plate K facilitates adjustment thereof.

As clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5, Wear shoes H and bar-retaining plates K are provided on both end plates l5. Of course, the flanges 3d of the two shoes extend toward one another. The troweling bar is rectangular in cross-section. It is quite obvious that when one edge of this bar becomes worn, the bar may be turned so that another edge is disposed at the trailing edge of the tool. In this manner, all four corners may be utilized before a new troweling bar is required.

In'Figures 5 and 7, I show a flexible wall designated generally at W, which may be made of rubber, or the like. This wall forms part of the hollow body in which the mastic M is-accommodated, and it has a marginal section or edge 46 clamped in a horizontal channel am that extends lengthwise of the guide strip G. The latter may be crimped or otherwise secured to the edge 46, as shown in Figure 7.

The troweling bar J is semi-flexible and may be flexed under pressure so as to produce a crown on the troweled mastic. During this flexing, fingers 42 remain engaged with the bifurcated ends 43 of the bar. However, in order to reduce the amount of curvature on this crown, pressure-adjusting pins 41 are arranged to apply downward force to the yielding guide strip G at a plurality of separate points along the length of the troweling bar, thus resisting upward curving of the Y 6 latter which is caused by the masticM under pressure in the compartment Bl crowding under the bar J. It is quite obvious that omission of the pressure-applying pins would allow the bar J to flex upwardly more readily. These pins are slidably disposed in bores l8 formed in the trailing partial wallv l4 (see Figure 4).

As clearly illustrated in Figure 12, the guide strip G is fashioned with a series of horizontal slots 49 spaced from one another along the length of the strip so thatthe latter will flex under pressure. Heads ile on the lower ends of the pins 41 bear against the top surface of the guide strip G in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 7.

For varying the amount of downward pressure exerted upon the pins 41, and thereby control the. flexing of the guide strip G and its troweling bar J, a yielding lever L is provided. This lever is spaced above the body B and is mounted to extend lengthwise ofthe strip and bar. A centrally-disposed post 59 is fastened to the body B so as to rise therefrom, with this post projecting through an opening 5! fashioned in the lever (see Figures 4 and 14). The opposing ends of the lever L are bifurcated, as at 52, so as to straddle the pins 41 (see Figure 3) The latter are provided with nuts 53 thereon against which the lever is adapted to bear. An adjusting nut 54 is threaded onto the post 50 above the lever L. As shown in Figure 4, the spaced-apart nuts 53 bear against the underneath surface of the lever L, while the intermediate nut 54 abuts the top surface thereof, thus preventing the lever L from tilting.

From the construction just described, it will be apparent that the nut 54 may be adjusted so as to vary the amount of pressure on the pins 47. In turn, this will control the flexing of the troweling bar J and its guide G as the tool is advanced over the mastic disposed on the face of the wall board, or the like.

The electric circuit shown in Figure 9for the motor I is opened when the compartment Bl of the tool is filled with mastic M. For this purpose I provide a lever N (see Figures 2-5 and '7) that is pivoted at 55 to cars 56, the latter being fixed to the top wall H of the body B. This lever has a plate-like projection 51 on its underneath surface that bears against an upper portion 58 of the flexible wall W. This wall portion covers an opening 59 provided in the top wall I I. The projection 51 extends downwardly through the opening 59 so as to contact with the flexible wall.

Figure 5 shows this flexible wall portion 58 as being secured to the underneath surface of the top wall I! by transverse strips 60 and rivets "Si, or other suitable fastening means. In Figure 7, I disclose additional strips 62 and rivets 63 for securing the longitudinal parts of the flexible wall portion 5% to the leading and trailing partial walls [2 and I4, respectively.

When the mastic M completely fills the compartment Bl, the flexible wall portion 58 will bulge upwardly, and this will swing the lever'N about its pivots 55. The free end 64 of this lever has an opening 65 therein through which a stud 66 extends, this stud being fixed to the body B (see Figure 5). A sleeve 61 surrounds this stud. It'will be noted that a coil spring 68 is mounted around this sleeve and bears against the free end 54 of the lever N for urging the latter toward the upper portion 58 of the fiexiblewall W. The tension on the spring is controlled by adjustment of a knurled nut 69 that is threaded onto the upper end of thestud. V

assesse- Referring tothe details of the wi ing, circuits as shown in Figures "3; 8" and 9, an electrical ter-j minal 1B is carried by a eahstr'mg arm li and is insulated therefrom. This spring is fixed to-the 1ever1 N by screws 12, or the like; The arrarlgement is such that the flexible wall portion 58 will bulge to a predetermined extent and raise the'levei' N, but the leaf-spring arm will'cause the terminal 10 m remain in Contact with a ten miner-1a, the latter being hired ts Jane iiis-u-late'd from the top wall H of the body B (see Figure 8-) When the lever N moves upwardly a certain distance, the contacts 10 and 13 will be separated, thus breaking the motor circuit. A wire H leads the fixed terminal 13-, and a seabird 15 leads from the movable terminal 10 (see Figures 8*ahd 9*) AS illustrated iii Eig ilie 9, the Wire 15 connects the terminal 23 ohthe vkllle Hail dle 22. Also, a wire 76 extends from the "valve terminal 24 to one side of the battery 9", hi other see or 'ciirrerit. Mdreever, the wire in is cannecteuto one end or the coil of the solenoid. Ill. The ctherena of this sollloid Coil is 'coh-hc ted by a wire 11 t the remaining side Of the Source of current. v

Accerdingly, when the lever 22 is moved by the operator to open the valve D, the terminals 23 2! will'be closed, and inasmuch as the compartmeht Bl has no inastic therein at the start of the operation, the terminals 70--'l3 ihitia1ly remain El'os'ed. This will cause a new of current from the battery 9 threll gh the Coll Of the solehold 10. The energizing of the coil will move a contact 18 an the solenoid armature into contact with a st'atibnary contact T9, and this will connect the motor 1 with the seurce of current, as suggested by the arrows in Figure '9.

Now the motor will actuate the pump 4 and force mastic under pressure-into the tool body compartment Bi. As seen as the mastic reaches apoint where the fl'ei'iib le wan portioh 58 will be moved upwardly a predetermined distance, the terminals 18 13 will be separated. will cut off the flow of current to the solenoid III, with the result that the contacts Ill- 49 will be opened and current will cease flowing to the motor. There-'- fore, the will stop, arid no further mastic will be delivered to the compartment B] at this time. 7

While the tool is beiiii; used, the quantity of mastic M in the compartment Bl win be reduced,

and the spring as will force the lever N "and its.

ro ection 51 agsmsrthe-nex'ibie wall portion 8, causing the ter inih'als T0 T3 to Contact again. This will result in the i ediate operation of the motor 1 and the umping of additional mastie to the body B. Therefore, it Will be seen that the supply' of mastic to the body of the tool is controlled automatically, and therewill be he slopping over of the mastic on the wall boards-E, or the like, dueto an excess of mastic feed.

SUMMARY OF opnamion First emtbui'mnr In Figures 1 and 2, i show the tool as -being applied over a vertical jo'int '8ll defined between abutting wallboards'ections The tool is drawn downwardly from the telling :8! in the direction of the arrows fa. For applying mastic to the lower portion of the vertical joint 80, near the floor 82 (see Figure 9) the tool can'be turned upside down, and then movedupwardly over the joint. The handle C is long ehilllgli to permit ceiling joints to be covered with mastie;

As the body 1?: is moved ever the was boards m the direction of the arrowd, mastic M will be de"-' livered through the outlet opening 132 to the surface of these boards. During the advancement of the body, as'sug'gested by the arrow a in Figure '7, the trowelir'lg bar J at the traii'mg end of thetbbl body will remove excess mastic from the the guide strip, there will be a tendency for the trowelin'g bar to arch upwardly as it is drawn over the mastic. In this connection, it will be noted that the guide strip G is not secured to the end plates i5l5, but floats relative thereto. Ac cordi'n'gly, a crown is-pro'duced on the 'troweled mastic, with the lateral edges of the mastic feathering toward the wall board.

The curvature of this crown is controlled by aw justing the nut 54 on the post 56 so as to regulate the downward pressure of the pins '4? on the guide strip. Since the pins ll are disposed at-spacedapart points along the length of the guide G and the bar J, a very gentle slope may be imparted to the crown or" the trowele'd mastic, and the curvature of this crown may be changed to meet the requirements. I V

The resilient runner F, which is disposed ahead of the outlet opening B2, rides over the surface of the wall board E. its sponge rubber backing 33 will yield to compensate for any uneven wall board surface. li/ioreover, it will yield to prevent the pressure of the mastic from rorcing rthe body B away from the wall board.

The wear shoes H have their flanges 30 disposed to ride directly upon the surfaces of the wall boards, and they may be replaced from time to time. As the troweling bar 'J wears, it may be turned so as to present-a new edge at the tr-ailing side of the tool. Also, the bar retaining plates K may be adjusted to project the troW-elin'g bar at the desired distance below the guide-strip (3.

second embodiment The mastic-applyingand finishing tool shown in Figures 1 5 and 16 is identical in. all respects with the first form of the tool, with the exception of a modified troweling bar J i. Accordingly, like reference numerals have been applied to 'corre spending parts.

This modified troweling "bar is rigid and somewhat wider than the barJ. -It is fashioned with a plurality of notches 83 in its underneath surface. As the tool is advanced over an inner wall board panel E i, for example, parallel rows ='of mastic ribbons d4 aredischarged upon the surface of the wall boa-rd. after the bar J I has been applied to the guide G, both may be pushed upwardly so as to permit the underneath edge of this bar to be placed hush with the flanges 3210f the shoes-H. At this time, the fingers "42 on the plates K are engaged with the notches -43 in the ends of the bar J l. The flexible wall W will yield to allow this upward movement of the wider troweling bar.

In practice, the inner panel E4 is nailed, as at 85, to studs 86, as shown in Figure l7. After the ribbons 84 of mastic have been applied, outer panel E2 is butted fi'atwis'e against the first; This will cause spreading o'ft'he mastic ribbons, assuggested at 84a, bonding the two panels together.

Figure discloses a further use of this modifled tool, wherein parallel "ribbons 84b of suitable mastic-hatebeen-applied to a floor 81. Linoleuin as may e anchored to thisfloor by the interposed fiattened-out-ribbons;84c of mastic. It is quite obvious that the same arrangement-may be uti' lized for securing acoustic boards in place, I

I claim; I v -1. Ina mastic-applying and finishing tool: a

hollow body adapted for receiving mastic under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the-surface as the body is advanced thereover; the body being provided with end plates; an elongated troweling amount of curvature on the crown of the troweled I mastic. V l p 2. The combination as defined in claim 1, in which the means for anchoringthe ends of the troweling bar to the end plates of the body is adjustable so that the bar may be projected downwardly relative to the end plates and thus toward the surface over which the body is moved. 3. In a mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted for receiving mastic'under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced'thereover; the body being provided with end plates; a flexible guide strip extending between the end plates and disposed lengthwise of the body near the trailing edge thereof; the guide strip floating between the end plates for up and down movement; an elongated troweling bar carried by the guide strip, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered to the surface; means anchoring the ends of the troweling bar to the end plates of the body; the bar bein flexible for upward arching thereof to form a.

crown on the troweled mastic; a yielding lever spaced above the body and extending lengthwise of the guide strip and troweling bar; a plurality of spaced-apart pressure-adjusting pins interposed between this lever and the guide strip; these pins applying downward pressure at separated points along the guide strip to resist upward arching of the troweling bar as the mastic crowds under this bar, and to reduce the curvature of the crown on the troweled mastic; and means for adjusting the lever toward and away from the guide strip to vary the downward pressure exerted by the pins on this strip.

In a mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted for receiving mastic under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; the body being provided with end plates; a flexible guide strip extending between the end plates and disposed lengthwise of the body near the trailing edge thereof; the guide strip floating between the end plates for up and down movements; an elongated troweling bar carried by the guide strip, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered to the surface; means anchoring the ends of the troweling bar to the end plates of the body; the bar being flexible-for upward'arching thereof to form of the guide strip and troweling bar; a plurality of spaced-apart pressure-adjusting pins interposed between this lever and the guide strip; these pins applying downward pressure at separated points along the guide strip to resist upward arching of the troweling bar as the mastic crowds under this bar, and to reduce the curvature of the crown on the troweled'mastic; means for adjusting the lever toward and away from the guide strip to vary the downward pressure exerted by the pins on this strip; a flexible wall forming part of the hollow body, and having an edge disposed near the guide strip; and means for securing this edge of the wall to the guide strip so as to move therewith.

J5. Ina mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted for receiving mastic under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; the body'being provided with end plates; a-unitary guide strip extending between the end plates and disposed lengthwise ofthe body near the trailing edge thereof; this strip floating between the end plates for up and down movement and being fashioned with a longitudinal groove; an elongated troweling bar fitting into the groove of the guide strip, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered to the surface; means for anchoring the ends of the troweling bar to the end plates of the body; the troweling bar having notches formed therein through which ribbons of the mastic will be discharged upon' said surface 'as the tool is advanced; and yielding means for applying downward pressure to the guide strip to resist upward movement thereof.

. 6. In' a mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted for receiving masticunder pressure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereofto deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; the body being provided with end plates; a unitary guide strip extending between the end plates and disposed lengthwise of the body near the trailing edge thereof; this strip floating between the end plates for up and down movement and being fashioned with a longitudinal groove; an elongated troweling bar fitting into the groove of the guide strip, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered to thesurface; means for anchoring the ends of the troweling bar to the end plates of the body; this anchoring means for the bar being adjustable so as to project the troweling bar downwardly relative to the end plates and. thus toward the surface over which the body is moved; and yielding means for applying downward pressure to the guide strip to resist upward movement thereof.

'7. In a mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted for receiving mastic under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; the body being provided with end plates; a unitary guide strip movable relative toand extending between the end plates and disposed lengthwise of the body near the trailing edge thereof; this strip floating between the end plates for up and down movement and being fashioned with a longitudinal remove; an elongated troweling bar fitting into the roove of the guide strip, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered to thersurface; means "for anchoring the ends'of the troweling'bar to the end plates of the body; the guide strip being fashioned with a seriesof slots spaced from one another along the length of the strip so that the latter will flex under pressure; and yielding means-for applying downward pressure to the guide strip to resist upward movement thereof.

'8, Ina mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted to receive mastic under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this ,body having an outlet opening in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; a troweling barcarried by the body, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered toythe surface; and a surfacecontacting'runner mounted on'the body ahead of the opening; this-runner having a resilient section disposed to bear against the surface upon which the tool is'applied; thej'trowelingbar being provided with notches through which ribbons of the mastic will be discharged upon said surface as the tool is advanced.

9. In a mastic-applying and finishing-tool: a hollow body adapted to receive mastic under pres- :sure, and being movable over a surface; this body having an outlet opening .in the bottom thereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; a troweling bar carried by the body, and disposed to trowel the mastic delivered to the surface; a surface-contacting runner mounted on the body ahead of the opening; thisrrunner having a resilient section disposed to bear against the surface upon which the tool is applied; and adjustable means supporting the runner on the body for adjustment of the runner toward and-away fromsaid surface.

10. In a mastic-applying and finishing tool: a hollow body adapted to receive mastic under pressure, and being movable over a surface; this 12 carried by the body 'rearwardly of the opening, and disposed toctrowel the mastic delivered to the surface; a surface-contacting runner mounted on the body ahead of the opening; this runner including a resilient section curved transcversely and defining a rocker-like portion adapted to bear against the surface when the tool is placed against the latter; the runner including an'L-shaped supporting member; the latter defining vertical and horizontal flanges; the resilient runner being secured to the horizontal flange; and adjustable means fastening the vertical flange to the body for adjustment of the supporting member toward and away from .said surface.

11. In a mastic-applying and ,finishing tool: a hollow body adapted for receiving mastic under pressure, and being movable over .a surface;

this body having an outlet opening in the bottomthereof to deliver the mastic to the surface as the body is advanced thereover; a pair of spaced-apart end plates carried by thebody and 7 having edges adapted ,to be positioned adjacent to ROBERT G. AMES.

-References Cited in the file of this patent 'UNIT'ED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,250,809 Davis Dec. 18, 1917 2,395,186 Jones Feb. 19, 1946 2,571,096 Ames Oct. 16,1951

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 21,696 Netherlands Mar. 16, 1930 

